Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ben Harper grew up visiting his grandparents’ Claremont, CA, folk music store and museum, which was frequented by Tom Waits, Paul Simon, and Leonard Cohen. ∙ Blues legend Taj Mahal gave the teenaged Harper—already an accomplished acoustic slide guitar player—his first paying gig and later included him on tour and on his 1990 album, Follow the Drinking Gourd. ∙ In 1994, Harper released his acoustic-based breakthrough LP, Welcome to the Cruel World, the first of five of his albums that have been certified Gold. ∙ His 2006 double album, Both Sides of the Gun, hit No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 in Australia, where Harper achieved early fame. ∙ “No Mercy in This Land”—his collaboration with legendary bluesman Charlie Musselwhite—won Song of the Year honors at the 40th Blues Music Awards. ∙ He’s won three Grammy Awards—for Best Blues Album (Get Up!), Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“11th Commandment”), and Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album (There Will Be a Light).